AMS Energy Ventures (“AMS”), a privately held company announced today it has been granted regulatory approval from the state of Pennsylvania to utilize above ground portable fueling station technology for retail dispensing of fuel. This is the first known approval for an above ground fueling station for retail dispensing of fuel granted by Pennsylvania. AMS has exclusive rights in the U.S to utilize this technology in the retail fuel industry which, it believes, will allow fueling sites to be developed for 80% less than traditional gas stations. AMS expects to have two retail fueling stations operational within the next six months.
Commenting on the recent approval, Ron Lipstein, Executive Chairman of AMS stated, “This approval allows us to implement our mission to disrupt the retail fueling industry and greatly influence how and where future retail fuel locations are developed. Our goal is to deploy this technology and our platform in traditional convenience and fuel retail settings and in and around other consumer convenient environments such as shopping malls and office parks. The AMS platform provides a low-cost high return solution to an industry that is ripe for disruption.” Doug Rodewald, an industry consultant, added, “The industry is quickly evolving its c-store experiences and AMS is taking it one step further to challenge how the industry can influence and define convenience in fueling. It’s a model for everyone to watch.”
In addition to utilizing above ground tank technology, AMS plans to leverage a future built point of sale (POS) and payment experience to meet the digital experience demands of today’s consumers while reducing the hardware required per location. Combining the AMS platform and this POS approach will allow gas stations to be developed for 80% less and operate at a 40% higher net profit percentage. These are very compelling metrics which uniquely positions AMS and provides a significant business opportunity for AMS. AMS expects to leverage the value of this technology by establishing fueling stations through franchising relationships and joint ventures with strategic partners having interests in the fueling and retail industries.
AMS has identified a venue in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania as its first site and is currently finalizing securing a second venue, which it expects to announce shortly. In July ,2018, the only gas station in Sharpsville closed, leaving the town through which 22,000 vehicles pass through daily, without a fueling station. Commenting on AMS intentions to open in Sharpsville, Ken Robertson, Borough Manager, said, “Reestablishment of a gas station in Sharpsville will be very positive and valuable to Sharpsville’s residents and our local economy. We are grateful to AMS for choosing Sharpsville as its first retail venue.”
The above ground portable station is EPA, NFPA and UL approved and has been previously used at military installations, airport facilities, marine ports, commercial fleet locations. Ethan Henderson, Director of Operations and Regulatory Affairs at AMS, commented, “Due to its patented design the above ground tank is the only portable above ground tank that can meet the safety profile required to open a retail fueling station in densely populated areas in the U.S. This has considerable value given the evolving retail fuel delivery market will continue to require more cost-effective ways to deliver gas profitably. Over 9000 retail fuel sites have been established in China using above ground tank technology and it has been reported that the number is expected to rise to over 30,000 during the next five years. The goal of AMS is to introduce the above ground tank concept into the U.S retail fuel market but with technology that has the safety profile that meets the more stringent U.S regulatory standards.”
